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The City of Kodiak's pilot study to determine the best
way to deal with bio-solids left over from the sewage treatment plant, has
gotten underway. A composting project, set to continue through the summer, is
intended to convert large amounts of sludge into useable compost.

In January 2007, the borough
notified the city that bio-solids generated from the city's sewage system would
not be accepted at the borough landfill indefinitely, according to City manager
Aimee Kniaziowski.
She said this prompted the need for a study to determine alternatives for the disposal
of sludge, and a consulting firm was brought in in 2008 to conduct just such a
study.

--(Kniaziowski
119 sec."They
had work that ...as well as the borough.")

Among
the alternatives CH2M Hill proposed was incineration, which Kniaziowski said was too
energy intensive and too expensive. Thus the less expensive
compost pilot project was born. Kniaziowski said the project is now in its very beginning
stages.

--(Kniaziowski
225
sec."The city is currently
...that over the summer.")

Kniaziowski said the
compost must meet Department of Environmental Conservation guidelines in order
for the pilot study to be considered successful and a viable option for future,
long-term implementation. She also said the availability of sufficient
amounts of wood is a concern.

According
to Kniaziowski,
between 250 and 400-thousand pounds of sludge are generated in Kodiak each
month, including what is collected from the Coast Guard
base and delivered to the city for treatment. She said the city is still
exploring options for where and how the final product of the composting project
can be used.

Kniaziowski said similar
projects have been successful elsewhere in the state, noting Fairbanks as an example. She
said composting and testing will continue over the summer, after which a final
report will be issued by spring 2010.